Reversible Rivulet Scarf in Trout Brown
Our Reversible Rivulets Scarf is the same on the front as the back, so that it wraps around your neck without any finagling and with one side just as beautiful as the other… The ultimate achievement in scarf knitting!
A gorgeous show of texture, pattern, and dimension, the Reversible Rivulet Scarf features twisted rib cables that cascade along the scarf’s entire length, like a mesmerizing stream.
Our original version of this scarf was in eye-popping Yellow Zest, but this time around we went with a softer tone: Trout Brown, one of our very favorite Alpaca Pure colors. Like a river trout, its purple-blue glow is softened by warm brown undertones. Incredibly cozy in 100% super baby alpaca, the Reversible Rivulet Scarf is also a wonderful knitting challenge… Not terribly difficult but awfully interesting and definitely satisfying!
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gina Rockenwagner. Click here to see even more of Gina’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoReversibleRivuletScarf. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 4 (6, 7) skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, 100% super baby alpaca. Each skein is 109 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 436 (654, 763) yards required. We used the color Trout Brown.
- US 9 (5.5mm) straight or circular needles, any length
- A cable stitch holder
Gauge
20 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Sizes
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 6 (8, 10) inches wide x 70 inches long
Sample: We knit the 8 inch wide size.
Pattern
For the free pattern, please visit our original Reversible Rivulet Scarf story!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Could I use your season alpaca to make this scarf? If so, would anything need to be changed (needle, number of cast on, etc.)?
How many skeins would be needed?
Thank you!
Joan
Hi Joan,
Thanks for writing in! Our Season Alpaca is quite a bit thinner than the Alpaca Pure that we used here. You can certainly give it a go but it may take a little trial and error. I would suggest trying either US 5 or US 6 needles. You cast on will also change. You can add multiples of 16 stitches to the pattern to get your desired width. You will then need to add an additional repeat for each set of 16 stitches that you add. For example, if you add 1 set of 16 stitches:
Currently: Cable Row 1: [Rcc (see Abbreviations + Tips, above), (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times] 2 (3, 4) times, rcc.
With extra set: Cable Row 1: [Rcc (see Abbreviations + Tips, above), (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times] 2 (3, 4, 5) times, rcc.
The amount of yarn that you will need will also depend on how wide you go! For the current measurements, I think that you would need 4, 5 or 6 skeins.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Could you advise what ply the Alpaca Pure is please.
Hi Tracie,
Thank you for writing in! Alpaca Pure was an aran weight yarn which is equal to a 10-ply yarn. I hope this helps!
Happy making,
Gavriella
this scarf is beautiful i have been knitting a lot this winter it is something i would like to try
Is there a hat pattern to go with?
Hi Mary,
Thank you for writing in! Unfortunately, we don’t have a hat pattern that would match this scarf pattern in Alpaca Pure. We have the Chunky Cable Hat which would match in pattern, but not the yarn. Then there’s the Boyfriend Hat which complements any scarf, but again it calls for a different yarn.
We do have the Traveling Cable Hat which is knit in Alpaca Pure, but the cables are a bit more traditional than the “cables” in the Reversible Rivulet Scarf.
I hope that you find these suggestions inspiring!
Cassy
Beautiful scarf! What’s the reason behind working every stitch through the back loop? I know this makes every stitch twisted – is that for added density, reduced elasticity, or what?
On a related note, what would happen to the scarf if I knit/purled as normal instead of twisting all stitches?
Hi Diane,
Thanks for writing in and great question! We work the stitches through the back loop here as it twists the stitches and makes them stand up more. This creates a bit of a pop in the look of the pattern! If you were to knit and purl through the front loop, the pattern would look quite a bit flatter and not as dynamic. You can certainly give it a go and if you like it, you can continue! The best thing about knitting is that we are all our own bosses and can modify things to work better for us!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Beautiful scarf!
Thank you!
Irma
Beautiful scarf! Thanks for sharing the pattern! I was about to start knitting the Braided Rib Wrap, but I’m now thinking about doing this pattern! ahhh….hard to choose! PurlSoho has too many good patterns to choose from! Thanks!
I’d like to print the pattern, however, there are 17 pages because of the info about the yarn etc. How can I bring just the simple pattern? Many thanks for your time. Happy New Year!! JG
Hi Julie,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly download a PDF of this pattern with all, some or none of the images!
f you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the date and tags. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
Best,
Cassy
How would you suggest I make this shorter and as a cowl? Knit fewer stockinette rows at each end and three needle bind off or Kitchener or provisional cast on or . . .? Thanks!
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for writing in! The most straightforward way to make this scarf into a cowl is to knit it to a shorter length and sew the ends together. You could also provisionally cast on and graft the ends together or do a three needle bind off!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Beautiful scarf…could you suggest another yarn with more yardage per skein that would also work for this pattern.
Thanks
Hi Elaine,
Absolutely! You could use our Worsted Twist here, which has about 50 yards more per skein and for this width would require only 4 skeins. You could also use any worsted weight wool that has a gauge of roughly 4 – 4.5 stitches per inch. Anzula’s For Better or Worsted would be lovely and you would need 3 skeins. It would also be great using Manos Maxima and use just 3 skeins as well!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Lovely design. Might there be a pattern as an oversized sofa / lounging chair throw and or smaller baby blanket. Really it is a very nice design that is timeless.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! We go not have a blanket version of this stitch pattern but it is an excellent idea! You can add multiples of 16 stitches to the pattern to get your desired width. You will then need to add an additional repeat for each set of 16 stitches that you add. For example, if you add 1 set of 16 stitches:
Currently: Cable Row 1: [Rcc (see Abbreviations + Tips, above), (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times] 2 (3, 4) times, rcc.
With extra set: Cable Row 1: [Rcc (see Abbreviations + Tips, above), (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times] 2 (3, 4, 5) times, rcc.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
The scarf pattern is beautiful but I find I’m making more cowls than scarves. How would you change the directions to make a cowl instead of a scarf?
Hi Dianne,
Thanks for writing in! The most straightforward way to make this scarf into a cowl is to knit it to a shorter length and sew the ends together. You could also provisionally cast on and graft the ends together or do a three needle bind off!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
How do I download the Reversible Rivulet Scarf???
Hi Jean,
Thanks for writing in! All of our lovely patterns can be downloaded as PDFs! TO do so, go to the pattern page (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/03/20/reversible-rivulet-scarf/) and then follow these directions:
If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the date and tags. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
Best,
Cassy
If you don’t knit and purl on the back of the stitches, will the scarf still be reversible? I find it easy to knit on the back, but hard to catch the stitch on the purls. Thank you
Hello Carole,
Thank you for reaching out! If you do not knit through the back loop you will create a standard rib stitch rather than a twisted rib stitch, which will still be reversible.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
The scarf I’m making is with a 40 stitch cast on but having trouble with my cable stitches lining up like the picture. What am I doing wrong?
Hello Pam,
Thank you for reaching out! How are your cables lining up? Are they all on top of each other or are they staggered like the photos?
I hope I can help!
Warmly,
Marilla
Hi Marilla, maybe what I should be asking is how many stitches should there be between the cables?
They are staggered but not lining up like the your photo.
Hi Pam,
I hope I can help!
For the smallest size with a cast on of 40 stitches the cable stitch break down for cable row 1 is as follows; RRC (a total of 8 stitches), (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times (a total of 8 stitches),RRC (a total of 8 stitches),(p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times (a total of 8 stitches), RRC (a total of 8 stitches).
Rib 7 rows
Cable row 2 is as follows; (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times (a total of 8 stitches),RRC (a total of 8 stitches),(p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times (a total of 8 stitches), RRC (a total of 8 stitches), (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times (a total of 8 stitches.
This means that you will always have a total of 8 stitches between each cable, but cable row 1 starts with a cable and cable row 2 starts with 8 stitches of rib.
I hope this all makes sense and let me know if I can clarify anything further.
Warmly,
Marilla
Thank you Marilla, for breaking this down for me.
I guess I was mixing up the count and then confusing myself with the 4 times. I love the pattern and will try again. Love all the creative knitting patterns that Purl Soho has to offer.
Wow, what a beautiful pattern to use for most anything a person knits! My ? is this: would you suggest knitting this pattern to an individual not very versed with cabling? Thanks.
Hello Pam,
Thank you for reaching out! This pattern would be a great first time cable project- the cables are on the simpler side cables.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
A somewhat experienced knitter, but not so much with cables. Can you clarify how to read the cable pattern? Cable row1: Do you do the Rcc first, and then (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times] And then after, what does 2 (3,4) times mean? (I know it would be according to the number of stitches cast on, but what stitch? Could you help clarify how I can more easily understand the pattern? Thanks Much!
Hi Melody,
It can be tricky reading knitting patterns with lots of abbreviations and repeats! On Cable Row 1, you are correct that you work the Right Cross Cable stitch first, followed by (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) repeated four times. You then will go all the way back to the beginning of the row and repeat the entire bracketed section, starting with the Right Cross Cable, the correct number of times for your cast on – if you started with the smallest size, you will use the first number and repeat it two times. If you started with the medium size you will use the second number, and if you started with the largest size you will use the third number.
Another way to think of this row is that there is a repeat within the repeat – the brackets denote the larger repeat, and the smaller repeat in the parentheses is worked each time you repeat the bracketed section. It’s a bit of a mind bender but once you have done a few rows it will start making sense!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Can you simplify the second cable row directions . Is it written in the order indicated OR in the second set of brackets are the (p1tbl,k1tbl ) worked first in th reversible rivulet scarf. Thank you
Hi Kathy
Thanks for the question! Another way to think of this row is that there is a repeat within the repeat – the brackets denote the larger repeat, and the smaller repeat in the parentheses is worked each time you repeat the bracketed section. Cable row 2 is as follows; [p1 tbl, k1 tbl] 4 times (a total of 8 stitches),RRC (a total of 8 stitches),(p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times (a total of 8 stitches), RRC (a total of 8 stitches), (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times (a total of 8 stitches, the number of times this section with the RRC is repeated varies by the size scarf you are making. I hope this helps you out!
Happy Knitting
Jessica
Hi 🙂
I’m beginning this pattern and I’m wondering how you would correct a mistake when knitting and purling from the back? What if you discover a mistake (4) rows down. Regular knitting, you could fix the mistake with the use of a crochet hook and working down to the mistake and back up. How would this happen in this pattern? I can see frustration ahead! I love the look of the reverse stitch!
Thanks in advance,
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for writing in! Although it is just a tiny bit trickier, it is definitely possible to pick up twisted stitches with a crochet hook! I would turn your work so the column you are working on has the knit side of the stitches facing you and drop the stitch as usual. Once you have unraveled your stitch down to the mistake, pick it up with a spare knitting needle (a double pointed needle would probably be easiest to maneuver) so that it is oriented like a normal knit stitch. Slip the stitch onto your crochet hook through the back loop to twist it and pick up the next ladder as usual. Before picking up each ladder, just continue slipping the stitch back to your spare needle purlwise and then to your crochet hook through the back loop, and your picked up stitch should turn out just like the rest of the twisted ribbing!
I hope that helps and I encourage you to give it a try!
Best,
Julianna
Hello,
I have started the Reversible Rivulet Scarf. I am working on the ribbed portion. I cast on 40 stitches but I’m wondering if I should have cast on 56. Will 40 be actually wide enough – will it drape nicely when wrapped around the neck? I’m sure you’ve made it in all 3 widths. In your opinion, would I be lacking something in the pattern if I continue with 40? It boils down to personal preference I know – but how do you view the finished look?
Hard to decide,
Brenda
Hello Brenda,
Thank you for reaching out! This is a great question, with the 40 stitch cast on you will get a thin scarf which is still beautiful and will still give you a lovely drape. The scarf photographed is the 56 stitch cast and will give you a classic scarf width. It is true, it really comes down to personal preference. I think either width will turn out beautifully.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello,
I’m using Alpaca Pure and testing gauge. With #9 needles, I’m getting 4 stitches/inch and 5 rows/inch in stockinette. The pattern, however, indicates the gauge should be 5 stitches/inch and 6 rows/inch in stockinette. Yet in an answer above, it states that any yarn with ~4-4.5 stitch/inch gauge can be substituted. So is the gauge listed in the pattern incorrect? Or should it be for the cable pattern and not stockinette?
Thanks,
Suzanne
Hello Suzanne,
Thank you for your question! The gauge you are aiming for is 5 stitches per inch, but everyone knits at a slightly different gauge so it sounds like you might want to go down to a US8. This should get you much closer to the 5 stitches per inch. I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Love this pattern, I’m a new knitter and excited to try this scarf. I live in a warm climate, would your Lantern yarn work for this scarf? If not could you recommend another yarn appropriate for warmer climates? Thank you!
Hi Cindy,
Great question! While Lantern is the appropriate weight for this pattern, I am concerned that a highly textured yarn will obscure the cable pattern, and I would hate for all your hard work to disappear! Instead, I would suggest Blue Sky Worsted Cotton as a warm weather substitute. This scarf will take 5 skeins of the Worsted Cotton.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
This is a beautiful cable design. I have been searching for a subtle cable with just a little bit of texture for a cardigan. Could this cable be adapted to a sweater? Does the design require ribbing throughout to work?
Thank you!
Hi Rachel,
Thank you so much for the kind words! Although it is necessary to work the stitch in ribbing if you want the fabric to be reversible, for a sweater, that wouldn’t be necessary! The cables will probably look a bit plumper without the ribbing, so I would suggest trying a swatch in stockinette to see if you are still happy with the cables.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Where is the pattern?
Hi Lois,
Thanks for writing in! You can find the free pattern in our original Reversible Rivulet Scarf story.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hello,
I don’t see a recommendation on the best method to join in a new ball of yarn. I think the Russian Join is the best since there is no knot and loose strands to weave in. Any other recommendations? Thank you. Carolyn
Hello Carolyn,
Thank you for reaching out! You are welcome to use any method you wish to join your new ball of yarn. We used the basic method as described here.
Happy knitting!
-marilla
Is it possible to knit it in two colours like brioche
Hi Monica,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately, this reversible cable pattern will not work in two colors the way you describe – it’s quite hard to duplicate the look of two color brioche without actually knitting two color brioche! There are advanced brioche patterns out there that use increases and decreases to create the effect you are looking for, but unfortunately we don’t have any patterns like that. I’m sure you could find something similar on Ravelry!
Best,
Julianna
What yarn would you recommend for this pattern since alpaca pure is no longer available?
Hi Kim,
Great question! You could almost any worsted to aran weight yarn for this pattern! Some of my favorite yarns that would knit up tot he correct gauge are Worsted Twist, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino, and Manos del Uruguay Maxima.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Since you no longer carry the Alpaca Pure yarn, I was hoping you could give me a recommendation for another yarn… would Understory work well for this pattern?
Hi Kim,
Great question! Understory is a bit lighter weight than Alpaca Pure, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it! Since it is more of a DK weight yarn, I would recommend knitting a gauge swatch in pattern on US 6 needles. You can then multiply your stitches per inch by how many inches wide you would like your scarf to be, and round to the nearest multiple of 16 to determine how many stitches to cast on.
If you prefer to use a yarn that is the same weight as Alpaca Pure, you could almost any worsted to aran weight yarn for this pattern! Some of my favorite yarns that would knit up to the correct gauge are Worsted Twist, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino, and Manos del Uruguay Maxima.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Is there a video tutorial on this pattern I’d love to watch as I’m away from my knitting shop/person to go for help? Many thanks Fiona
Hi Fiona,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we don’t have the resources at the moment to do a video tutorial of this. We will keep your request in mind though for the future!
Best,
Julianna
15 Dec 2019 – Trying to download this pattern. When I click on print, I get the beginnings of the screen which would let me select a PDF but then that screen disappears and this page closes. Am I doing something wrong?
Hi MaryEllen,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m so sorry that you are having problems with our print function! If you are still unable to print or download a pdf, please contact us at [email protected] so we can have our website manager look into this!
Best,
Julianna
I’m unable to print the “Reversible Rivulet Scarf”. PLEASE HELP!
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for writing in for some help on this! If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the date and tags. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%. I hope this helps – if there’s anything else I can do to assist, please just let me know!
Happy Knitting!
Cassandra
Hey there, I would like to make this scarf in the largest size and then pick up and knit on all four sides to knit a 3X3 rib. think it would work? I could add a few garter stitches on either side as I knit the scarf pattern if that would make it easier to add ribbing.
another option I see is to simply knit a garter/stockingnet rib as I go,
but not sure of how to do ends because I would like them to be mitered. Any help? Thanks
Hi Kimberly,
Thanks for writing in! Since the cables of this scarf go right to the very edges, I do think it would be easier to pick up stitches if you add a selvage edge or two. As long as you check the stitch gauge of your ribbing and compare it to the row gauge of the scarf to determine how many stitches to pick up on the long edges, your plan should turn out well!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
All the videos for tubular bind off in rib start with a knit stitch. This pattern starts with a purl so how do you adapt the instructions?
Hi Diane,
Thanks for reaching out! You will simply follow the instructions as stated but starting off with the treatment of the purl stitch rather than a knit stitch!
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
Is it possible to use your Cashmere Merino Bloom yarn for this pattern?
https://www.purlsoho.com/cashmere-merino-bloom.html
Hi Pam,
Thanks for writing in. While this pattern was designed for a worsted weight yarn, and Cashmere Merino Bloom is DK, I still think you can easily make this yarn work! You might want to adjust your cast-on number, so that you end up with a scarf of similar dimensions to the one we made, even though you’ll be using a lighter weight yarn.
To figure out your new cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern (if you need help with this step please visit this tutorial). Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the closest multiple of 8 stitches. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you for your quick reply!
Would Flax Down yarn work with this pattern since Alpaca is not available? Would I need to make any adjustments, if so? Thanks
Hi Jana,
Thanks for writing in! Flax Down is actually quite a bit thinner than the original Alpaca Pure that we used for this pattern, so you could certainly use it but you will need to make a few adjustments! I would suggest starting out by working a gauge swatch on a US 6 or 7 needle, from there you can determine your gauge and adjust the cast on! Alternatively, if you would like to knit this pattern without making any adjustments I would suggest using our lovely Partridge or Plenty! Both are a very similar gauge to Alpaca Pure, so should work with the pattern as written.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna